Apparatus for storing and transporting boat propellers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for carrying and storing watercraft propellers comprises a soft-shell enclosure having a rigid bottom member. The apparatus further comprises means for securing the propeller to the bottom member to help secure the propeller within the apparatus. An embodiment of the apparatus may shaped in the form of a cube or other parallelepiped with an opening symmetrically bisecting the enclosure along the top and the sides, with a single panel defining the bottom of the enclosure. Alternatively, the apparatus may have a cylindrical shape. An embodiment of the invention may further comprise carrying means such as a continuous loop strap which is attached to and supports the bottom and sides of the enclosure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/701,233 for this invention was filedon Jul. 20, 2005 for which the inventor claims domestic priority.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the storage andtransportation of propellers for watercraft. In particular, embodimentsof an apparatus are disclosed which facilitate the transportation ofpropellers, protect the propeller from damage, and prevent injury to theperson transporting the propeller.

It is common for boating and jet ski enthusiasts to have at least onespare propeller for their craft. A propeller may be damaged, in whichcase the spare may be required. In addition, because the pitch of thepropeller affects the engine RPM, a boat owner may have differentpropellers for different operating conditions, such as for high altitudeservice. However, carrying and/or storing propellers can be problematic.Propellers are typically heavy and have sharp edges. If the sparepropeller is allowed to simply sit in a storage compartment of the boat,the edges may be damaged by shifting equipment, or the bare edges mayinjure someone. Carrying propellers can be difficult as well because ofthe heaviness and lack of convenient handholds. Dropping a propeller canresult in damage to the propeller and harm to the person carrying it, orpersons in the vicinity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus disclosed herein provides a solution to the needidentified above. An embodiment of the invention comprises a soft-shellenclosure which may shaped in the form of a cube or other parallelepipedwith an opening symmetrically bisecting the enclosure along the top andthe sides, with a single panel defining the bottom of the enclosure. Theenclosure thereby functions in a clam-shell manner, with opposing halvesof the enclosure capable of being widely spread apart for insertion ofthe propeller. The invention further comprises a rigid bottom memberwhich overlies the single panel on the bottom, and which providessupport for the propeller. The rigid bottom member may comprise meansfor securing the propeller to the rigid bottom member. The opening hasopening and closing means, such as a zipper. The invention furthercomprises carrying means such as a continuous loop strap which isattached to and supports the bottom and sides of the enclosure, andwhich extends above each side of the enclosure in matching loops.

Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise a cylindrical soft shellenclosure with a single panel defining the bottom of the enclosure. Thecylindrical soft shell comprises an opening at the top which may beclosed with zippers, buttons, cinch cord, or hook and loop fasteners.This embodiment further comprises a rigid bottom member which overliesthe single panel on the bottom, and which provides support for thepropeller. The rigid bottom member may comprise means for securing thepropeller to the rigid bottom member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the disclosed device.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows an inside view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A shows an embodiment of the rigid bottom member of an embodimentof the device which employs a threaded stud as a means of securing apropeller to the rigid bottom member.

FIG. 6A shows an embodiment of the rigid bottom member of an embodimentof the device which employs straps as a means of securing a propeller tothe rigid bottom member.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the disclosed device with the rigid bottommember removed, along with a propeller.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the disclosed device with a propellerdisposed therein.

FIG. 9 shows another view of an embodiment of the disclosed device witha propeller disposed therein.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of an embodiment of the disclosed deviceshowing usage of the exterior utility pockets.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the device wherein thesoft-shell enclosure is in a cylindrical shape, which utilizes grommetsand a draw cord for closing the opening of the device.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the device wherein thesoft-shell enclosure is in a cylindrical shape, which utilizes a zipperfor closing the opening of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment10 of the invention. This embodiment 10 comprises a soft-shell enclosure12 which may shaped in the form of a cube or other parallelepiped.Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 11-12, the soft shell enclosure 12′ maybe configured in a cylindrical shape. The enclosure 12 (or 12′) may bemanufactured from soft-sided material with sufficient strength, such asballistic nylon, canvas, CORDURA, or KEVLAR. The enclosure 12 may alsohave a nylon lining 14 in the interior of the enclosure as shown in FIG.5. Foam material may be sandwiched between the outer layer of theenclosure 12 and the lining 14. This foam material may have a thicknessof 0.25 inch.

Embodiment 10 may further comprise an opening 16 which may symmetricallybisect the enclosure 2 along the top 18 and the sides 20. A single panel22 defines the bottom of the enclosure 12 for this embodiment 10. Theenclosure 12 may thereby function in a clam-shell manner, with opposinghalves of the enclosure capable of being widely spread apart forinsertion of the propeller as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in FIGS. 11-12, an embodiment 10′ of the apparatus has acylindrical enclosure 12′ comprising an opening 16′ which issufficiently large to allow one or more propellers to be insertedthrough the opening into the apparatus.

The invention further comprises a rigid bottom member 24 which overliesthe single panel 22 on the inside of the enclosure 12. This rigid bottommember 24 provides support for the propeller 26. The rigid bottom member24 may comprise a lightweight yet strong material such asacrylonitrate-butadiene-styrene (i.e., ABS plastic). It has been foundthat material having a thickness of ¼″ or greater provides sufficientstrength for most size propellers. As indicated on FIG. 7, the rigidbottom member 24 may further comprise a textured top surface 28, such asindoor-outdoor carpet, to make the inside of the enclosure 12 moreappealing.

In addition to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the rigid bottom member24 may further comprise means for securing the propeller 26 to thebottom member. Various means may be employed for this purpose. Forexample, the rigid bottom member 24 may comprise a vertical threadedstud member 25 which may be inserted through the splined bushing in thehub 27 that attaches the propeller to the propeller shaft. A retainingnut or other fastener may then be attached to the threaded stud member25, such that the retaining nut makes up against the propeller hub 27 toretain the propeller 26 in place. Another means for securing thepropeller 25 to the rigid bottom member 24 is shown in FIG. 6B. As shownin FIG. 6B, the rigid bottom member 24 may comprise adjustable straps 27which are secured at one end to the rigid bottom member and which haveconnectors 29 at the other end for securing to a mating strap 27.

The opening 16 of embodiment 10 has opening and closing means, such as azipper 30. As shown in FIG. 3, dual zippers 30 may be used to facilitateopening the enclosure 12 The invention further comprises carrying meanssuch as a continuous loop strap 32 which is attached to and supports thesingle panel 22 defining the bottom and sides 20 of the enclosure 12 asshown in FIGS. 1 through 4. The continuous loop strap 32 which extendsabove each side of the enclosure and terminates in matching loops 34,which provide a convenient handle for carrying the apparatus. As shownin FIG. 2, the continuous loop strap 32 may be double stitched to theexterior of the enclosure 12 to provide additional security and carryingcapacity. A handle piece 36 may also be utilized to provide additionalsupport for grasping the apparatus.

In the embodiment 10′ having a cylindrical shell, opening 16′ may beclosed with various closing means. For example, draw cord 37 may bedisposed within an upper seam of the shell bordering the opening 16′,where the draw cord is accessible through grommets 39. Alternatively,zipper 41 may be employed to close top panel 43.

The device may further comprise exterior utility pockets 38 which may beused to carry an assortment of different objects. An example for usageof the exterior utility pockets is shown in FIG. 10. The device mayfurther comprise interior utility pockets 40 as shown in FIG. 5. Thesepockets may be utilized for carrying additional hardware such as shearpins or cotter pins or for carrying the tools necessary for changing outthe propeller 26.

While the above is a description of various embodiments of the presentinvention, further modifications may be employed without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus the scope of theinvention should not be limited according to these factors, butaccording to the claims to be filed in the forthcoming utilityapplication.

1. An apparatus for storing and transporting a boat propellercomprising: a soft-shell enclosure having sides and a single paneldefining the bottom of the enclosure, the enclosure having an opening; arigid bottom member which overlies the single panel on the bottom; andmeans for securing the propeller to the rigid bottom member.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the propeller to therigid bottom member comprises a threaded stud attached to the rigidbottom member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means forsecuring the propeller to the rigid bottom member comprises a firststrap and a second strap, the first strap and second strap each having afirst end and a second end, the first ends respectively attached to therigid bottom member and the first strap and second strap comprisingmeans at their respective second ends for connecting the first strap tothe second strap.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the opening of theenclosure comprises closing means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe apparatus comprises carrying means.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4wherein the closing means comprises a zipper.
 7. The apparatus of claim4 wherein the closing means comprises a draw cord used in combinationwith grommets.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the carrying meanscomprises a continuous loop strap which is attached to and supports thebottom and sides of the enclosure, and which extends above each side ofthe enclosure in matching loops.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thesoft-shell enclosure is in a cylindrical shape.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the soft-shell enclosure is in the shape of aparallelepiped
 11. An apparatus for storing and transporting boatpropellers comprising: a soft-shell enclosure shaped in the form of aparallelepiped having a top, sides, and a single panel defining thebottom of the enclosure, the enclosure having an opening whichsymmetrically bisects the enclosure along the top and the sides; a rigidbottom member which overlies the single panel on the bottom; and meansfor securing the propeller to the rigid bottom member.
 12. The apparatusof claim 11 wherein the means for securing the propeller to the rigidbottom member comprises a threaded stud attached to the rigid bottommember.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for securing thepropeller to the rigid bottom member comprises a first strap and asecond strap each having a first end and a second end, the first endsrespectively attached to the rigid bottom member and the first strap andsecond strap comprising means at their respective second ends forconnecting the first strap to the second strap.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 11 wherein the opening of the enclosure comprises closing means.15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the apparatus comprises carryingmeans.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the closing means comprisesa zipper.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the carrying meanscomprises a continuous loop strap which is attached to and supports thebottom and sides of the enclosure, and which extends above each side ofthe enclosure in matching loops.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11 whereinthe rigid bottom member comprises a textured top surface.